American Guild of Organists Tuesday Noontime Organ Recital Series and Luncheon

BY GRACE OH KRAYBILL

This March, St. David’s is pleased to host an organ recital series on our magnificent Dobson pipe organ in the Chapel. Each Tuesday, members of the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) will present a half-hour performance as a gift to the community. There is no admission cost for the recital, nor do these accomplished musicians receive a fee. There will be a luncheon in St. David’s Hall following each recital, at which the suggested donation is $10 per person.

The AGO is the national professional organization for organists. Their mission is to foster a thriving community of musicians who share their knowledge and inspire passion for the organ. It boasts over 14,000 members in approximately 300 chapters throughout the United States and abroad. The Philadelphia Chapter, which has over 300 members, is very proud to present this series for the 50th season. This March, the scheduled artists are:

MARCH 7: DR. KIRSTEN

Santos Rutschman

Dr. Kirsten Santos Rutschman is currently the Interim Director of Music at Wayne Presbyterian Church. Kirsten holds degrees in musicology (Ph.D., M.A.) from Duke University. In addition, she has studied and completed Fulbright-supported research in Sweden. Before coming to Wayne, Kirsten was Organist/Accompanist at First Presbyterian Church of St. Louis for almost four years. During that time, she also taught music theory and related courses.

MARCH 14: JOSH KRAYBILL

Josh Kraybill is no stranger to St. David’s as he’s had the opportunity to play the organ and sing in the choir during Christmas 2021 and 2022. He is currently a sophomore studying the organ at the Cleveland Institute of Music, one of the few all-classical programs in the country. He will also be giving a recital at the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove, NJ on August 12.

MARCH

21: EMILY BALLENTINE ERB

Emily Ballentine Erb is a life-long church musician and daughter of a Lutheran pastor and music teacher. Emily is Director of Music Ministries at St. Mark’s Lutheran in Conshohocken. She was a piano performance major at James Madison University and plans to begin graduate studies in sacred music and organ performance this fall.

MARCH 28: JEFFREY BRILLHART

Jeffrey Brillhart is an author, composer, concertizer, as well as the Director of Music and Fine Arts at Bryn Mawr Presbyterian. He is also on the music faculty at Yale University, where he teaches Organ improvisation. He earned his Master’s from the famed Eastman School of Music.

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